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Eighth-grader donates $1,500 to SCC Elementary

Cumberland student Dylan Anderson (left) hands an envelope with the $1,500 he raised for St. Croix Central Elementary School to his cousin, SCC third-grader Reid Drafall.

Dylan Anderson was planning to hold a fundraiser for his own school, Island City Research Academy in Cumberland, but when he heard about the April 30 fire at St. Croix Central Central Elementary School, he changed his plans.

"I thought it would be better used here (at St. Croix Central Elementary)," Anderson said.

Anderson organized a Read-A-Thon to support SCC Elementary, with the help of his aunt Jenn Snowbank, school librarian for Cumberland Middle School and Island City Research Academy.

Anderson and many of his fellow students read anything they wanted, from novels to research, May 15-20. While they were reading, the students kept a tally of the number of words they read.

From May 10 to 14, the Read-A-Thon participants collected donations and pledges. Donors could pledge a certain amount per word read, or simply donate a lump sum.

Anderson said he read about 6,100 words during his Read-A-Thon participation.

His goal was to raise $500.

The Read-A-Thon raised approximately $1,500, which Anderson delivered to St. Croix Central Elementary June 5. It was accepted by Anderson's cousin, SCC third-grader Reid Drafall, and SCC principal Steve Sanders.

"I'm impressed that a young man would have the initiative to put this together and follow through," Sanders said. "I'm just in awe."

Anderson said the Read-A-Thon would not have been successful without the help of his aunt and his community.

"I like helping other people," Anderson said. "I think this will be a great use of the money."

Anderson said he hopes the money will help SCC Elementary rebuild its library.Dylan Anderson was planning to hold a fundraiser for his own school, Island City Research Academy in Cumberland, but when he heard about the April 30 fire at St. Croix Central Central Elementary School, he changed his plans.

Gretta Stark has been a reporter for the River Falls Journal since July of 2013. She previously worked as a reporter for the New Richmond News from June 2012 to July 2013. She holds a BA in Print and Electronic Media from Wartburg College.